Are Smart Locks Safe? A Lock Expert Explains | WSJ

Are Smart Locks Safe? A Lock Expert Explains | WSJ

Can smart locks provide more than convenience? From thermostats and rugs to lights and speakers, smart home technology upgrades have gained popularity since the Covid-19 pandemic. Smart home locks are often keyless and can be opened with a passcode or opened from your phone. But do these actually increase the security of your home?

WSJ asked Marc Tobias, a lock security expert, to test out the Google Nest x Yale Lock by looking at the hardware, convenience and security of the lock.

Photo: Cesare Salerno

Expertly Tested
This video series puts products in the hands of experts with specific skill-sets. Featured specialists use a selected product in their everyday routine and report back their highs and lows with the device. The tried-and-tested expert reviews will help viewers decide what to buy.

0:00 Meet Marc, a lock security expert
0:57 Next x Yale Lock
2:12 Hardware
3:09 Convenience
3:51 Security
4:53 Final rating

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#WSJ #Security #SmartLocks

50 Comments

  1. @lightitrun5209 on January 4, 2025 at 6:20 pm

    Just get wireless security either in 9, 45, 357, 38 or 12ga calibers, I meant frequencies. Their ranges are phenomenal.

  2. @chadjones1266 on January 4, 2025 at 6:21 pm

    Thanks Again

  3. @underthegreatwave on January 4, 2025 at 6:22 pm

    This is an AD. Deplorable WSJ – BLOCKED.

  4. @FAB0516 on January 4, 2025 at 6:22 pm

    0:45 at this point I’m thinking "old school keyed lock savvy, but probably no tech savvy"

  5. @nicholaslandolina on January 4, 2025 at 6:23 pm

    Wow

  6. @OrlandoBurgess-e5q on January 4, 2025 at 6:24 pm

    Rusty Plains

  7. @eduardo33 on January 4, 2025 at 6:26 pm

    The only thing do you need is a crowbar…

  8. @yaniyani2011 on January 4, 2025 at 6:27 pm

    If you lose your phone or your battery is dead or your phone’s screen is broken, then you’re really f*cked. Since no lock smith is going to be able to help, right?

  9. @gavinbarnes6310 on January 4, 2025 at 6:30 pm

    Just watched a 6 minute ad 🙄

  10. @luckyfisher1 on January 4, 2025 at 6:31 pm

    This is the most obvious thinly veiled advertisement that I have ever seen.

  11. @Marbforest on January 4, 2025 at 6:31 pm

    This House need smart glass 💀

  12. @michaelyeboah1393 on January 4, 2025 at 6:33 pm

    Smart way to advertise

  13. @adobenumpty on January 4, 2025 at 6:33 pm

    Nest!? I’m out.

  14. @ChinmayH on January 4, 2025 at 6:36 pm

    Pointless – if there is no key, dont ask a locksmith to test the security. The main feature is not even tested – is it electronically secured or hackable !!!!

  15. @pctong5387 on January 4, 2025 at 6:36 pm

    Repeat pressing the same key on the touch pad, won’t it leave an imprint eventually?

  16. @arapaimagold8088 on January 4, 2025 at 6:38 pm

    LoL, how many of you are forgetting that your door has windows. Or window right at the handle side of smartlock?

  17. @stealthspy007 on January 4, 2025 at 6:39 pm

    Ah yes, The WSJ disguising an advertisement as journalism. Big Media at it’s finest

  18. @codyott1982 on January 4, 2025 at 6:39 pm

    Ok, so a lockpick can’t get into it….

    But a hacker can.

    And they still haven’t made a lock that can’t be got into.

    Just do I gotta call a friend or not.

  19. @cyuzna on January 4, 2025 at 6:42 pm

    Incredible video. Thanks.

  20. @MrObsvenchilde on January 4, 2025 at 6:44 pm

    Lol criminals never pick locks to gain entry.

  21. @GoloPutka on January 4, 2025 at 6:45 pm

    How much did Google pay WSJ for this ad

  22. @Rod-bp8ow on January 4, 2025 at 6:45 pm

    Not SAFE, Locking system since it is not FLOOD/WATER PROOF, as well as NOT CORROSION RESISTANT, FOG, MILDEW and MOULD, NOT FIRE RETARDANT. These are AREAS of DEVELOPMENT IN A NON AI Standards of Excellence in Locking System, Manufacturing, Brake system and Logistics/Technical Support..**********

  23. @LorettaMaldonado-x4i on January 4, 2025 at 6:46 pm

    Balistreri Street

  24. @Scully1800 on January 4, 2025 at 6:48 pm

    Wow good advertisement.

  25. @MatthiasNyberg on January 4, 2025 at 6:49 pm

    No electronics should be visible on the outside. Making it visible and accessable lowers the security automatically. It’s best if the burglar has no idea if there’s an additional lock installed, waht type it is, or even where it is installed.

  26. @johnwilson3375 on January 4, 2025 at 6:49 pm

    “Begs the question” means to assume what you’re trying to prove. It’s a logical fallacy. I doesn’t mean to raise the question. Just say ‘raises the question.’

  27. @ahuber624 on January 4, 2025 at 6:49 pm

    4:43 locks only help keep an honest man honest😂

  28. @johnoliver787 on January 4, 2025 at 6:50 pm

    I’m in property maintenance and we use these locks. They are pieces of S$&@! Half of my job is going around fixing or replacing these locks. This video is funny because the guy gives five stars without even testing the electronics. IT IS AN ELECTRONIC LOCK! Many of our residents choose to take out the batteries so that it functions like a regular lock. Next time, get someone with up to date expertise to test the lock, because this guy basically says, “There’s no keyhole so it must be great.” If you sense that I’m a little worked up, you’re right! 🤣

  29. @StevenCalvert77 on January 4, 2025 at 6:52 pm

    Mainstream media with another barely disguised ad. Wonder how much Yale/Nest paid for this top-notch "journalism"? smh

  30. @imaprinta on January 4, 2025 at 6:53 pm

    Give a hacker 3 minutes and they’d be on.

  31. @KittyIngrid-x9k on January 4, 2025 at 6:54 pm

    Adams Junctions

  32. @jalexander305 on January 4, 2025 at 6:55 pm

    Great commercial

  33. @vamos419 on January 4, 2025 at 6:56 pm

    What a colossal waste of time.

    I hate the fact that Youtube disabled the dislike bar.

  34. @Vyrus_101 on January 4, 2025 at 6:59 pm

    This is stupid – an old school locksmith that doesn’t know anything about tech is not the way to test this lock. Get someone to hack it.

  35. @1man2many on January 4, 2025 at 7:02 pm

    lol, nope. I don’t want grid or wifi or cell to be required to get into my house, all are unreliable here in CA

  36. @WhyetRon-l7n on January 4, 2025 at 7:04 pm

    Reyna Turnpike

  37. @kingboxing2481 on January 4, 2025 at 7:04 pm

    As a locksmith I can tell you this is a add in any way they didn’t try to beat the lock security lol this is just an add

  38. @TroupeGoal on January 4, 2025 at 7:05 pm

    Interesting video, I’d like to know how a high-security mechanical lock differs

  39. @HarryGregory-i4q on January 4, 2025 at 7:06 pm

    Yasmeen Way

  40. @CarolineFeliciano-k3f on January 4, 2025 at 7:06 pm

    Runolfsdottir Route

  41. @PerfectoKiss on January 4, 2025 at 7:07 pm

    Nice commercial.

  42. @SnapCracklePapa on January 4, 2025 at 7:08 pm

    @0:17 WSJ doesn’t know what "begs the question" means? Wow, have they gone down hill. I guess that also explains the 18 year old spokesgirl with vocal fry.

  43. @slplktr on January 4, 2025 at 7:09 pm

    Disgusting ad.

  44. @bozhidarmihaylov on January 4, 2025 at 7:11 pm

    The phones touchscreen works well! They’ve showed it few times 😂

  45. @shopcrate5687 on January 4, 2025 at 7:12 pm

    Can we just get 2 big pitbulls I’m sure we can even leave the door open😁

  46. @apl175 on January 4, 2025 at 7:12 pm

    I would be more convinced if the Yale brand in the USA was still owned by Assa Abloy.

  47. @rj7855 on January 4, 2025 at 7:13 pm

    A door knob in the inside with glass door is like having no lock at all, smart lock or not.

    Break window, turn knob, you’re in.

  48. @DrRussPhd on January 4, 2025 at 7:14 pm

    If it is digital it can be hacked.

  49. @Santiago-Rj on January 4, 2025 at 7:17 pm

    Yeah, as he said, in that case is a little stupid ’cause there glass and anyone can rotate the locker inside through the glass broken. But, in a more common situation, could be really good.
    And a problem, or something for check, hacking things and like that it could be a issue.

  50. @noneofourfinbusiness on January 4, 2025 at 7:17 pm

    What happens if you out this on the only door to hour highrise condo and the batteries run out? Do you have to bust the door down? Legit question.

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